Printing apparatus.



H. QUBRTIER. PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 191,0.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

'|N\/ENTo R, QUEPCHER,

Hl LARY wrm 8858,

Attomej H. QUERTIER. PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLIoATIoN FILED SEPT. 2, 1910.

lNvENTOR.

QUERUER,

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HWARY ly H. QUERTIER.

PRINTING APPARATUS.v APPLIOATIONI'ILEDSBPTJ,1910.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914 3 BHBETB-SHEET 3.

a7 WITNESSES )Nv-LNTOR, )in L HRY QUERWER,

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narran sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

HILARY QUERTIER, OF WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HILARY QUERTIER, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Vellington, in the Dominion of New Zealand, have invented a new and useful Printing Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention has been designed for the purposeI of providing means whereby orders or messages from any number` of given points and of dierent natures may be sent to a common center and recorded and printed upon paper or the like.

The invention is useful for a number of different purposes, particularly ,for use in sending and recording orders rin restaurants, for fire alarm purposes, for signaling and recording messages from the bridge of a steamer to the engine room, for sending and recording orders to gunners in batteries or warships, for signaling and re cording the movements of trains and the operations of point interlocking systems and tablet systems, and for a number of other analogous purposes. 'Y

The invention consists broadly in the employment of printing or impression dies adapted to be engaged by or to engage with a continuously or intermittently fed strip of paper, and in the combination therewith of electrically operated selection mechanism by means of which any particular die or dies may be brought into contact with the paper sheet so as to make an impressionl thereon.

ln describing the invention, it will be described in relation to an arrangement of apparatus suitable for use in a restaurant in the giving and recording of orders for the different articles upon a menu, but it will be understood that the same appliances may be adapted with very slight alterations for any other of the purposes before mentioned.

The preferred form of apparatus consists in a drum having the dies secured across its periphery at intervals apart in its circumference, that is mounted within a frame carrying a number of solenoids arranged ra dially from the drum. Each solenoid is provided with a core that, when the solenoid, is actuated will project into the line of rotation of a stop upon the drum. Arranged beneath the drum is a pivoted table extending between a pair of bell crank le- Speciication of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 2, 1910.

,machine Patented Feb. 24, 1914i.

Serial No. 580,230.

vers, which levers are connected with the drum 1n such a manner as to cause the drum to rotate through a portion of a revolution when the table is rocked up and `table .will be moved up and a partial rota tion will be imparted to the drum unt-il its stop piece contacts with. the core of the energized solenoid around it, which is so positioned as to bring a particular die into the position to be engaged by the table. Means are provided whereby the portion of the paper strip printed upon may be severed from the main strip and delivered out of the In orderY however that the invention may be properly understood reference will be made to the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is al front view thereof with a portion of the casing removed. F ig. 3 is a front elevation, and Fig. i an end elevation of the die drum. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the means employed for feeding' the paper strip intermittently with the movements ofthe pivoted table. Fig. 6 is a plan of the table. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation thereof. Figs. 8, 9 and l() are detail views of alternative mechanism for feeding the paper strip and for imparting respectively a quick up and down movement, a. quick downward movement, and a quick upward movement to the table. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the system of electrical connections embodied in the invention. Fig. 12 is a view of a selector switch for attachment to a menu frame.

The apparatus illustrated provides for Iive diferent orders being sent from any one of five different points and for a record beingmade of such order and the point from which it is sent. The same principles of construction will however be embodied in a machine adapted for sending any desired number of orders from one or more points.

rlhe apparatus is contained within a `suitrio able casing 1 preferably of non-electric material and within which a pair of drums 2 3 are mounted side by side. These drums are fixed upon the respective spindles 4 5 which are suitably trunnioned in bearing plates 6 attached to a frame 7 made integral with the casing 1 or attached thereto and arranged concentrically around the drums. blocks 8 are so attached as to be capable of easy removal or replacement, these blocks extending transversely across the drums in the manner shown in the drawings. To the drum 2 the different die blocks corresponding to the respective items of the menu are attached, while to the drum 3 die blocks corresponding to the respective numbers of the different ordering points or points of transmission are secured.

9 is the table one end of which is attached to a rod 10 while the other end is free. The rod 10 is carried loosely at its ends in plat-es 32 (Fig. 2) forming a portion of the machine frame and is so positioned that when the table is swung with it as a pivot the table will move upward to engage with the surfaces of the drums 2 and 3 and in a line parallel with the axes of such drums, vor will move downward clear of such drum. The table 9 is also made of such a width as to extend across the aggregate width of thel crank lever 11 is secured so as to move with the movements of the table. This lever 11 on one end of the rod is arranged opposite a grooved pulley 12 secured upon the spindle 4 of the drum 2 while the lever 11 upon t-he other end of the rod is arranged opposite a grooved pulley 13 secured upon the spindle 5 of the drum 3. The ends of the arms of each bell crank lever are then connected with the pulley respectively opposite them in such a manner that the rocking of the lever will impart a partial rotation to the pulley and corresponding drum in a direction according with the direction of movement of the lever. The means for effecting this purpose shown in the drawings, consist of a spring 14 extending between the arms of each 'bell crank lever and passing through the groove in the pulley 12-13 respectively opposite to it. 1t is then secured in such groove by means of a pin 15 o'r the like.

Arranged beneath the table 9 is a pair of solenoids 16 the cores 17 of which are connected to a cross bar 18. This cross bar is then connected 'with the table 9 by means of the connecting rod 19 pivotally attached at its respective ends t-o the bar and the table. The weight of the table will keep it in the downward position away from contact with the die drums, and the cores 17 pushed outfrom the solenoid coils. When To the drums peripheries, die.

such solenoids are energized, the cores will be drawn in and the table will thus be forced up into contact with the drums, to again drop back when the solenoids are dcenergized.

Arranged concentrically around each drum 2 and 3 but to the side thereof arc a number of solenoids 20 which are so disposed as to extend in radial lines from the drum spindles. Each of these solenoids is provided with a core that is adapted to cause `a pin 21 attached to its inner end to be projected across the side face of the corresponding drum 2 or 3, when the solenoid is energized. A stop piece 22 (Figs. 1 and 4) is secured to the side of each drum and the several pins 21 are adapted when moved inward, to lie in the line oi' rotation of this stop piece.

The solenoids for each drum correspond in number to the number of impression dies on such drum and the impression dies are so positioned on the drum in relation to the stop 22 that when such stop is in engagement with a pin 21 of any particular solenoid the corresponding die will be in a position to be engaged by the table 9 as it springs up. For instance, as shown in Fig. 1, when the pin 21 of the third solenoid is engaged by the stop 22 the third die S is in a pos/ition to be engaged by the table. Consequently upon one of the solenoids 2O being energized simultaneously with the energizing of the solenoids 1G, its pin 21 will be moved in, the table will swing up, iinparting a turning movement to the bell crank levers 11 which in turn cause a rotation of the drum until the stop 22 engages with the projecting pin 21, when the drum will be held, while the levers and table move on owing to the spring connections 14, and the table will make impact with the die that has been moved around to the impression point. On the return movement of the table and bell crank levers the drum will be moved yaround to its normal position which is such that the first die will be behind the point of contact with the table. Thus any desired die on either of the drums 2 or 3 may be moved into the position to be engaged by the table by energizing the corresponding solenoid 20.

A strip of paper 23 is caused to be fed across the table from the spool 24 by means of the feed roller 25. This strip travels over the table intermittently and is adapted to be fed upon each downward movement of the table so as to present a fresh surface for receiving the impressions of the die after each recording of the apparatus. The means for effecting this travel of the strip are shown in Fig. 5 and consist of a wheel 26 loosely mounted on the spool spindle and carrying a spring pawl 27 that is kept in engagement with the teeth of a ratchet .wheel 28 fixed on the spool spindle. A grooved quadrant 29 is fixed to one of the bell crank levers ll and a cord 30 encircles such quadrant and the wheel 26- so that the rocking movements of the lever 11 will impart rotation to the wheel 26 in corresponding directions. As t-he table and lever 1l turn down, the pawl 27 will engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 28 so as to carry such wheel and the spool around with the wheel 2G and thus feed the paper strip across the table. When the table mo-Ves upward this pawl will slide freely over theratchet wheel so that no rotation will be imparted to the spool.

An inking ribbon 31 (Figs. 2 and 6) is fixed across between the frame members 32 and is so positioned that it will be engaged between the paper strip and the impression die 8 when the table 9 swings up so that the impression of the die will be imprinted upon the strip. This ribbon will be carried on spools 33 at each end so thatI a fresh portion of its length may be moved into use as required. Other inking means may be used, if so desired.

At the outer end of the table a knife blade 34 is fixed and arranged so that the paper strip passes beneath its edge. This blade when the table swings down is adapted to engage with another knife blade 35 secured across between the frame members 32 so that the two blades will effect a shearing cut upon the paper strip and cause the projecting portion that has been impressed and fed over the table edge, to be cut off and to fall through a delivery opening 36 in the front of the casing 1.

To provide for the movements of the table being assisted and quickened and also to provide alternative means for feeding the paper strip the means shown in Fig. 8 are employed. In these means the paper feed roller 25 is made with a spring or power actuated drum causing it to tend to rotate in the direction of the arrows. It is retained from rotating by means of a pawl 37 pivoted to the machine frame and engaging with a roller 38 fixed to the side of the spool. The

table 9 is formed with a` slotted extension 39 rigidly connected therewith and extending beyond its pivot rod 10 and the roller 38 loosely engages in this slot which is made of such a length as to permit of the roller working to and fro in it when the spool re. volves. A pin 40 projects laterally from the end of the extension 39 and overlies a tail 41 upon the pawl 37. Vhen the table starts to rise under the action of the solenoids 16, the extension 39 is pivotally moved on the roller 38 and the end 40 is depressed by contact of the pin 40 with the tail 41 thereby lifting the pawl 37 and freeing the rolle-r 38. The

rod 10 being loosely mounted, permits this movement. The spring controlling the spool will then cause it to revolve and the roller acting as a crank engaging with the slot will first assist the upward movement of the table and cause it to make a sharp contact with the die and will then assist the return movement, the spool being retained again after making one complete revolution, by the pawl 37 dropping back and engaging with the roller 38.

If desired only to give a quick return movement to the table so as to aid the work of the severing knife blades, the means shown in Fig. 9 may be employed. In these means the extension of the table is formed as a cam 42 the end of which is adapted, when the table is raised to strike the pawl 37 and knock it out of engagement with the roller 38 so that the spool may rotate, the

roller then passing beneath the cam and serving to press it upward and give a cor-v responding depression to the table.

For giving only a quick upward m-otion to the table the means shown in Fig. 10 may be used. In these means the extension of the table is formed as a cam 43 the upper surface of which is adapted to be engaged by the roller 38 in its rotation. The spool is kept from rotation by the counterweighted pawl 44 having an upward projection 45 with which a lateral pin 46 on the cam end is adapted to engageas the table starts to Y move up actuated by the solenoid 16. This engagement will .force down thepawl freeing the roller so that it will move around engage upon the top of the cam and force it down and the table up in the required manner. Vith these means the severing knife 35 will preferably be positioned so that it will engage with the surface of the table near its inner edge and thereby sever the imprinted portion of the strip simulta neously with the printing of the impression.

An ordinary clock work impression stamp or a date stamp 47 (Fig. 2) or both may be positioned inside the apparatus so as to be engaged by the paper strip when it is raised on the table. This stamp will thus cause the time and date at which any message is received being printed in a line with the mes` sage upon the recording strip. This clock stamp will be of value when the apparatus is employed for sending fire alarm signals, railway despatch signals, engine room instructions upon Steamers and in other cases where it is desired to have the times of receipt of messages recorded.

The drums 2 and 3 may each be provided with an adjustable weight 48 (Fig. 4) secured upon its periphery at a point opposite to the impression dies and adapted to act as a counterweight of such dies in order to insure of the even-balancing and working of the drums.

The system of wiring shown in Fig. 11 is particularly adaptable for the machine deresponding solenoid 20 representing the message or order, and then by a common return, through the table actuating solenoid 16, and

f an alarm 52, back to the battery. Thus upon an operat-or at any one of the points making a connection between the switch block 50 and anyV particular' one of the contact points 51, the corresponding solenoids of each set will be energized, the table actuating solenoid 1G will also be energized and the apparatus actuated in the manner described to print and deliver or record the desired message, intimating the nature of the message and the point from which it has been sent, as well as to give an audible signal.

A two way switch 53 may be interposed in the main circuit and so arranged as to provide for the s-olenoids being cut out and for the alarm 52 being short circuited so as to ring continuously, or for both being cut out.

Any desired kind of selector switch may be employed in conjunction with the apparatus to accord with the nature and number 'of orders required to be sent. For fire alarm purposes the selector switch will be replaced by automatic switches or thermostats of any desired construction, and the different points of such switches being represented by thermostats arranged at different points in a building will provide for an indication of the exact location of a tire in a particular building together with the name of the building being given to any central station.

It will be apparent that the principle of construction and operation embodied in the apparatus described herein may be adapted for use in conjunction with other apparatus, such principle consisting in the employment of dies or stampers adapted tov be selected and brought into actionby the closing of an electric circuit, in order to imprint upon a strip of. paper information as to the point of origin of ra message, the particular message selected from any given number of messages and if necessary the time of giving such message.

`What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In means for the purposes herein described, in combination, a drum, impression stamps or dies secured across its periphery, a table hinged beneath such drum, a support for a strip of paper fed across the table, means for rotating the drum and for simultaneously swinging the table up into contact with its periphery, electric means for positioning any particular die into the line of engagement with the table, and means for returning the table and for simultaneously feeding the paper strip along it, substantially as specified.

2. In means for the purposes herein described, in combination, ay drum, impression stamps or dies secured across its periphery, a table hinged beneath such drum, bell crank arms upon the ends of the table, connections between such arms and the drum, a pair of solenoids or electro-magnets arranged beneath the table having moving members thereof connected with the table, and adapted when energized to raise the table into engagement with the drinn, and means for feeding a paper strip across the top of the table, substantially specified.

8. In means Jfor the purposes herein specified, in combination, a drum, impression stamps or dies secured across its periphery, a table hinged beneath such drum, bell crank arms upon the ends of the table, connections between such arms and the drum, means for raising the table into engagement with the drum and for lowering it again, a support for a paper strip extending across the table, a feeding roller around which the strip is passed, means for imparting a partial rotatio-n to such feeding roller as the table moves up or down, a knife blade across the table beneath which the strip is passed and a knife blade upon the machine frame adapted to be engaged by the blade upon the table, substantially as and for the purposes speci.- tied.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

I-IILARY QUERTIER. Witnesses IV. ALEXANDER, M. Gr. BROWN.

Copies -of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

